Ontonagon weighs parks ordinance

September 11, 2012

ONTONAGON - The village of Ontonagon may soon have an ordinance to establish rules and regulations of public parks and beaches, but only after being brought to the public.

The Ontonagon Village Council opted to table ordinance No. 2012-11 during its regular meeting Monday evening.

The village council had the choice to approve the ordinance and publish it, schedule a public hearing, table it or reject the ordinance.

The ordinance was created because of problems between individuals within the village, President Bill Johnson said, and the purpose is to establish rules and regulations for the protection of the health, safety and welfare of the community and public utilizing such properties in the village of Ontonagon.

In the ordinance, hours for public parks, beaches and village-controlled properties would be dawn, or one half-hour before sunrise, and dusk, or one half-hour after sunset.

Village Manager Joe Erickson said there are only five rules to the ordinance. All trash and debris must be removed and disposed of properly, and no household refuse shall be deposited in a public trash receptacle. No person shall damage, deface or destroy village property or facilities, including the removal of signs, equipment and furnishings, and the cutting of wood or foliage.

"Motorized vehicles are only allowed on designated road areas in all village parks and motorized vehicle parking is permitted only in designated areas," Erickson said. "Keep motor vehicles where they belong."

Sound or noise generated by a group, person or device which is excessive or profane is prohibited.

Finally, all pet wastes shall be picked up, bagged and disposed, and feeding of birds and wildlife is prohibited.

Elmer Marks, president pro tem, said he had an issue with the set hours as hours are not regulated in other places around the village.

"It's not right," Marks said. "The rest of the properties have no set hours. It's not right."

Violating the terms would result in a civic fine, Erickson said. All of the beach properties, boardwalks along the river, the island and parks would be included under this ordinance.

Member Tony Smydra suggested having a public hearing. The council opted to table the ordinance for now and decide on a date for a public hearing.

In other news, the council:

heard a report from Erickson who said the weather was nice and events were well attended at the Ontonagon Labor Day Festival.

heard seven firms have sent notices to bid for street projects.

heard a complaint from a member of the public who said he has been harassed while fishing off of the boardwalk near the home of a village resident. Resident William Johnson said he has been a victim of angler harassment.

heard the village crew fixed a water leak in White Pine and flushed a sewer line on River Road.